Crunch - Legs On Exercise Ball

Learn how to do crunch - legs on exercise ball with a clear setup, controlled movement, and a technique you can repeat.

CoreBodyweight7 technique steps

See the movement
Crunch - Legs On Exercise Ball: matching illustrations comparing the setup and movement positions
01Set your position02Make the movement

How to do crunch - legs on exercise ball

  1. Lie flat on your back with your feet resting on an exercise ball and your knees bent at a 90 degree angle.
  2. Place your feet three to four inches apart and point your toes inward so they touch.
  3. Place your hands lightly on either side of your head keeping your elbows in. Tip: Don't lock your fingers behind your head.
  4. Push the small of your back down in the floor in order to better isolate your abdominal muscles. This will be your starting position.
  5. Begin to roll your shoulders off the floor and continue to push down as hard as you can with your lower back. Your shoulders should come up off the floor only about four inches, and your lower back should remain on the floor. Breathe out as you execute this portion of the movement. Squeeze your abdominals hard at the top of the contraction and hold for a second. Tip: Focus on a slow, controlled movement. Refrain from using momentum at any time.
  6. Slowly go back down to the starting position as you inhale.
  7. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Crunch - Legs On Exercise Ball exercise illustration

Crunch - Legs On Exercise Ball: muscles worked

Primary focus: abdominals and trunk.

Better reps before more weight.

Start with a version you can control. Record the same setup and range each time. Add reps or a small load increase when you can repeat the movement without changing the technique.

Plan your next set

Frequently asked questions

How do you do crunch - legs on exercise ball?

Lie flat on your back with your feet resting on an exercise ball and your knees bent at a 90 degree angle. Place your feet three to four inches apart and point your toes inward so they touch. Place your hands lightly on either side of your head keeping your elbows in. Tip: Don't lock your fingers behind your head.

What muscles does crunch - legs on exercise ball work?

Crunch - Legs On Exercise Ball primarily trains the abdominals and trunk. The exact demand depends on your setup, range, and chosen load.

What is the best technique for crunch - legs on exercise ball?

Set the trunk position before beginning the movement or hold. Use the intended trunk action rather than arm or leg momentum. End the set when the position changes; longer is useful only while you keep control.

What can I do instead of crunch - legs on exercise ball?

Related options include Cross-Body Crunch, Crunch - Hands Overhead, Decline Crunch. These can have different equipment, range, and movement demands. Open the guides below to compare the setups before choosing a replacement.

Your body. Your next move.
Trainer’s athletic graphite mannequin
Preparing the interactive view…

Explore another muscle.

Choose a muscle on the body or below. Discover the movement, see the technique, then make it yours.

Browse every exercise